Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - "From The Altar To The Potluck" – Tuesday, 28 October 2014 - Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-12

Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - "From The Altar To The Potluck" – Tuesday, 28 October 2014 - Scripture: Nehemiah 8: Ezra and The Revelation
1 By the time the seventh month arrived, the People of Israel were settled in their towns. Then all the people gathered as one person in the town square in front of the Water Gate and asked the scholar Ezra to bring the Book of The Revelation of Moses that God had commanded for Israel.
2-3 So Ezra the priest brought The Revelation to the congregation, which was made up of both men and women—everyone capable of understanding. It was the first day of the seventh month. He read it facing the town square at the Water Gate from early dawn until noon in the hearing of the men and women, all who could understand it. And all the people listened—they were all ears—to the Book of The Revelation.
4 The scholar Ezra stood on a wooden platform constructed for the occasion. He was flanked on the right by Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, and on the left by Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
5-6 Ezra opened the book. Every eye was on him (he was standing on the raised platform) and as he opened the book everyone stood. Then Ezra praised God, the great God, and all the people responded, “Oh Yes! Yes!” with hands raised high. And then they fell to their knees in worship of God, their faces to the ground.
7-8 Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah, all Levites, explained The Revelation while people stood, listening respectfully. They translated the Book of The Revelation of God so the people could understand it and then explained the reading.
9 Nehemiah the governor, along with Ezra the priest and scholar and the Levites who were teaching the people, said to all the people, “This day is holy to God, your God. Don’t weep and carry on.” They said this because all the people were weeping as they heard the words of The Revelation.
10 He continued, “Go home and prepare a feast, holiday food and drink; and share it with those who don’t have anything: This day is holy to God. Don’t feel bad. The joy of God is your strength!”
11 The Levites calmed the people, “Quiet now. This is a holy day. Don’t be upset.”
12 So the people went off to feast, eating and drinking and including the poor in a great celebration. Now they got it; they understood the reading that had been given to them.
"From The Altar To The Potluck" by David Roller
Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand (Neh. 8:2 b).
Ezra stands on a wooden platform, reading the newly rediscovered Book of the Law. He reads a bit, then pauses for the Levites to make the meaning clear. The people react with uncontrollable grief, shedding tears as they compare their behavior to the standards outlined in the book. Finally, Ezra calls for an intermission and sends them home with instructions to not mourn or weep on this holy day. Rather, he tells them to find strength in the joy of the Lord.
The episode shows the welcome, if uncharacteristic, contrition of the people. Their understanding of the Word of God produced grief that later was resolved by joy. However, Ezra didn’t let them wallow in their disgrace. Instead he pointed them to joy, saying, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (v. 10). Their joy overflowed in celebration and sharing of food--in other words, a potluck supper!.
We’ve all been there. We know the inner coniction, that sickening feeling of failure and self-reproach that can lead to chronic discouragement. This story reminds us that our strength doesn’t come from our competence, our success, or even our moral uprightness. Our strength comes from the joy of the Lord.

Hymn for Today:

"Father, Speak Your Word Again" by Ken Bible copyright 1993 by Pilot Point Music, Box 419527, Kansas City, Missouri 64141 United States. All rights reserved.
1. Father, speak Your Word again.
Come and share Your will and way.
Show Yourself as now we seek,
Read in faith, and wait and pray;
Read in faith, and wait and pray.
2. Father, how we need your truth,
Truth to fix our minds above;
Words of promise, peace, rebuke?
All are words of life and love;
All are words of life and love.
3. Come now, Father, shape our ways.
We will use the light you give,
In Your Spirit serve and grow,
Learn how love would have us live;

Learn how love would have us live.
Thought for Today:

“Every word you give me is a miracle word—
    how could I help but obey?
Break open your words, let the light shine out,
    let ordinary people see the meaning.
Mouth open and panting,
    I wanted your commands more than anything.
Turn my way, look kindly on me,
    as you always do to those who personally love you.
Steady my steps with your Word of promise
    so nothing malign gets the better of me.
Rescue me from the grip of bad men and women
    so I can live life your way.
Smile on me, your servant;
    teach me the right way to live.
I cry rivers of tears
    because nobody’s living by your book!"(Psalm 119:129-136).
Prayer Needs:
That many people in Saint Martin will come to know Jesus the Christ, Yeshua the Messiah, and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
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